A Toronto police officer has been charged with assault after allegedly punching a man under arrest “several” times.

Apology - January 22, 2013:
This article was edited from a previous version that misquoted police spokesman Mark Pugash. Pugash did not make any statements regarding Gary Gould's alleged actions and professional standards.The Star apologizes to Pugash.

Gary Gould, 32, a constable with 11 years experience, was responding to a call at a North York convenience store around 5 a.m. on Dec. 29.

Police say Christopher Milani, 20, had allegedly been drinking and was acting unruly inside the store.

“He went to the back of the store and when he found the bathroom locked began urinating on the floor,” said police spokesman Mark Pugash. “The clerk tried to escort him from the store. It is alleged he punched the clerk in the head.”

When Gould arrived at the scene, he arrested Milani, who continued to yell and spit at the police, Pugash said.

Once in the back of the squad car, Milani began to kick at the door and window. He allegedly spat at one officer and missed before hitting Gould in the face with a second attempt, Pugash said.

Gould then allegedly “punched the man several times,” according to a statement released by police. Pugash said he was not aware of any injuries sustained by Milani and said no one was taken to hospital after the incident.

While police are permitted to employ force to control someone who’s being placed under arrest, the Toronto Police Professional Standards Unit investigated and laid the charges.

Gould was beaten up by fellow police officers in a street fight after the charity FiteNite event at the Guvernment nightclub in March 2009. In January of that year, he was awarded arrest of the month after apprehending a speeder while off duty.

Milani has been charged with three counts of assault and one count of mischief under $5,000.

Gould was charged with assault on Jan. 15 and will appear in court on Feb. 28.